Final statistics released on DUI campaign

From Dec. 13 through Jan. 1, Butte County law enforcement officials conducted a DUI campaign, Avoid the 8, during which 81 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence.

As a part of the campaign, local law enforcement conducted a DUI checkpoint on Dec. 30.

"During the checkpoint operation three drivers were administered Field Sobriety Tests. One driver was arrested for driving with a suspended license," according to a press release.

There will be several Avoid the 8 Campaigns in 2014, the next being during Super Bowl Sunday festivities in February, and again during St. Patrick's Day in March.

According to the press release, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has discovered that sobriety checkpoints can save up to $6 for every $1 spent on the program.

Law enforcement requests that individuals who witness a drunk driver report the information to authorities by calling 9-1-1. The Avoid the 8 program is funded by California Office of Traffic Safety grant.

"DUI Checkpoints, along with regularly scheduled high visibility DUI enforcement, are proven strategies with the goal of removing impaired drivers from the road and heightening awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol," according to the press release.

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Nicole can be reached at ngerspacher@paradisepost.com. Connect with her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nbgerspacher.